Intense rainfall that hit Ivory Coast's economic capital Abidjan (population 5 million) on June 18 and 19, 2018, caused severe flooding in which at least 18 people lost their lives. The country is currently in the middle of its rainy season.
Interior Minister Sidiki Diakite said rain started 23:00 local time, June 18 and lasted until 06:00, June 19.
Flash floods reached 2.5 m (8.2 feet) in places, washing away homes and displacing hundreds of families.
The government said 18 people had died and 115 were rescued and placed in shelters. However, rescue teams are still searching for other casualties and the death toll keeps rising.
Many roads remained flooded on Tuesday, with sinkholes forming beneath some streets.
Point de la situation après les pluies diluviennes à Abidjan
— RTI Info (@RTI_info) June 19, 2018
13 cas de décès (3 à la Riviera Allabra, 2 à la Palmeraie)
115 personnes mise en sécurité par les sapeurs pompiers et dans des postes de dépôt avancé mis en place (Ministre de l'Intérieur ) #RTIinfo pic.twitter.com/xdOdB3JQrY
[Photo] Une partie de la "Rue Ministre"à Cocody-Riviera Palmeraie après les pluies dans la nuit d'hier à ce mardi matin. #RTIinfo #LesVerificateurs pic.twitter.com/l6mKKzW1fp
— RTI Info (@RTI_info) June 19, 2018
#Urgent Des pluies plus violentes annoncées pour 13 heures ce jour , selon les prévisions météo (Ministère de l'Intérieur) #RTIinfo #LesVerificateurs pic.twitter.com/HCpeUcGIg3
— RTI Info (@RTI_info) June 19, 2018
Intervention des pompiers depuis 02h45 dans les quartiers inondés à Abidjan Bilan PROVISOIRE 110 personnes mises en sécurité
— RTI Info (@RTI_info) June 19, 2018
10 décès.
Poste médical installé à CAP NORD. Les opérations se poursuivent, selon les pompiers. (Point à 8h45) #RTRIinfo #CivInondations pic.twitter.com/W51xqArbCT
Abidjan suffers from infrastructure problems and many homes are built in flood-prone areas, AFP said.
The country is currently in the middle of its rainy season. Heavy rains are expected until late June.
Featured image credit: RTI Info
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